What are the responsibilities and job description for the ICU Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant position at Animal Emergency and Speacialty Center of...?
Description
At Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Chattanooga (AESC), we are passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate care to pets in critical need. As a 24-hour emergency and specialty veterinary hospital, we partner with local veterinarians to manage complex illnesses, injuries, and critical cases when their practices are closed. Our ICU team is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and skilled veterinary professionals dedicated to providing advanced diagnostics, emergency treatments, and critical care. If you are looking to be part of a dynamic, fast-paced team in a cutting-edge facility, we want to hear from you.
As an ICU Veterinary Technician / Veterinary Assistant, you will play a pivotal role in providing life-saving care to our most critically ill patients. You will work closely with our skilled veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and support staff to deliver top-tier care for pets in need of advanced monitoring, emergency intervention, and post-operative recovery. Your ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional standards of care will be crucial to your success in this role.
This is a weekend-only full-time position offering competitive compensation, a dynamic team environment, and ample opportunities for professional growth. If you have experience in emergency veterinary care or a background in fast-paced general practice surgery and are eager to make a difference, this is the role for you!
This is a full-time weekend shift (Friday through Sunday, 7 PM – 7 AM), and it’s ideal for individuals who thrive in fast-paced, high-acuity settings.
Key Responsibilities
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ICU Patient Monitoring & Care:
- Provide critical care and monitoring to hospitalized patients, including those recovering from surgery, trauma, or severe illness.
- Monitor vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen levels) and adjust treatments as necessary.
- Assist in intubation, catheter placement, fluid therapy, and other critical care procedures.
- Emergency Procedures & Restraint:
- Assist the veterinary team with emergency surgeries and procedures in a high-pressure environment.
- Utilize proper restraint techniques for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures while ensuring patient safety and comfort.
- Surgical & Anesthesia Assistance:
- Aid with surgical preparation, including patient positioning, surgical site preparation, and assisting during surgical procedures.
- Administer and monitor anesthesia during surgeries and emergency procedures, ensuring patient safety and adjusting as needed.
- Patient Documentation & Communication:
- Maintain accurate and detailed medical records of patient care, including treatments, observations, and progress notes in the hospital’s electronic medical records system.
- Communicate effectively with the veterinary team and clients to provide updates on patient condition and treatment plans.
- Equipment Maintenance & Use:
- Operate and maintain ICU-specific equipment, such as oxygen cages, IV pumps, ECG monitors, and other critical care tools.
- Ensure all equipment is in proper working order and alert the team to any malfunctions.
- Cleaning & Infection Control:
- Adhere to strict protocols for sanitation and infection control within the ICU and surgical areas.
- Assist with the cleaning, stocking, and maintenance of ICU supplies, ensuring that equipment and medications are readily available for emergency use.
- Team Collaboration:
- Work closely with the veterinary team to provide comprehensive care to ICU patients, including assisting with diagnostic procedures, blood draws, and radiology.
- Maintain a positive and collaborative approach to patient care in a fast-paced environment.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise to be Successful
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Education & Certification:
- CVT, LVT, or RVT certification is strongly preferred. However, we are open to considering experienced Veterinary Assistants with a strong background in emergency or critical care settings.
- Candidates with surgical assistance or emergency room experience will be prioritized.
- Experience:
- Previous ER or ICU experience is highly preferred, particularly experience in critical care, emergency surgeries, or post-operative care.
- Experience in managing surgical cases or assisting with high-volume surgeries in a fast-paced general practice is an excellent background for this position.
- Key Skills:
- Proficient in animal handling, including proper restraint techniques for emergency procedures.
- Strong attention to detail, particularly when monitoring critical care patients and documenting care.
- Solid knowledge of emergency protocols, veterinary anesthesiology, and critical care treatments.
- Excellent communication skills to work effectively within a team and with clients.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently in a high-stress, high-energy environment.
- Comfort with multitasking in a fast-paced setting while ensuring accuracy and compassionate care.
- Personal Attributes:
- A strong desire to learn, grow, and contribute to the success of a high-performance team.
- Empathy and the ability to provide comfort and support to pet owners in emotionally charged situations.
- Strong work ethic, including reliability, punctuality, and a willingness to go the extra mile for patient care.
Why Join AESC?
Competitive Compensation & Benefits:
- We offer competitive pay based on experience, with additional shift differentials for overnight hours.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off (PTO), and a Continuing Education (CE) bank.
Career Development Opportunities:
- Access to continuing education and professional development through Penn-Foster College and in-house training.
- Opportunities for growth within a fast-growing, multi-location veterinary organization.
Collaborative & Dynamic Work Environment:
- Work alongside a passionate, skilled team of veterinarians, technicians, and support staff.
- Engage in complex, rewarding cases in a state-of-the-art facility, contributing to both your professional growth and the success of the hospital.
Work-Life Balance:
- The weekend-only schedule allows for better work-life balance, making this position ideal for those who prefer not to work traditional weekday hours.
About Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Chattanooga
Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Chattanooga is a 24-hour Emergency and Referral facility is a one-of-a-kind specialty animal hospital comprised of a cohesive group of experts who values teamwork and client experience. We view our hospital as a neighborhood partner and a trusted resource that has the tools to provide advanced diagnostics, evaluation, and treatment.
We provide veterinary care in an environment rooted in comfort and compassion. Our hospital is comprised of a cohesive group of veterinarians who are board-certified, with advanced experience and training in a variety of areas: internal medicine, surgery, and oncology. We use state-of-the-art medical technology and fully equipped surgical suites, including an on-site CT scanner, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
Hear more about working with us from the team at Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Chattanooga!
Equal Opportunity Employer Policy
Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Chattanooga is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
We provide veterinary care in an environment rooted in comfort and compassion. Our hospital is comprised of a cohesive group of veterinarians who are board-certified, with advanced experience and training in a variety of areas: internal medicine, surgery, and oncology. We use state-of-the-art medical technology and fully equipped surgical suites, including an on-site CT scanner, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
Hear more about working with us from the team at Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Chattanooga!
Equal Opportunity Employer Policy
Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Chattanooga is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.